How to Fail As a Leader

Book excerpt: This is a fable of two leaders who can't wait to prove they have what it takes to be a good leader. When they discover that their new partner doesn't agree with them about leadership, not even close, spark fly. And that's before they get ambushed. Not metaphorically. Ambushed as in surprised by an enemy army. That's because this story happens in a fictional medieval kingdom and these two leaders are the military commanders of a sleepy little fort.Addoc, the new fort commander, believes that great leaders motivate people to pursue a grand vision. Leadership is about vision and relationships. But Eldin, his second in command, holds that great leaders ensure excellence, that you become a leader by doing the work better than anyone else.They both have a chance to test their leadership approach. And they both fail. But they also both learn in the process. Think of it as a case study on leadership--with swords. There are short debrief sections at the end of each chapter, to unpack what just happened, along with discussion questions.This is an adventure novel fused with a leadership book with small group workbook elements sprinkled on top.